POTTSTOWN — The firing of zoning work leader Michelle Fry from the codes office is just one of the developments in the borough department that has recently received so much scrutiny.

Of Fry, formerly known as Michelle Borzick, Borough Manager Mark Flanders would say only that “she is no longer employed by the borough,” and said he would neither confirm nor deny that her departure was connected to a police investigation of her alleged acceptance of a check from developer and convicted thief Frank McLaughlin of East Coventry.

Fry, however, confirmed to The Mercury Tuesday that she is using a standing borough process to appeal her termination. She declined to comment further.

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McLaughlin was sentenced in Montgomery County Court last month to three years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of theft by unlawful taking in connection with his use of devices to by-pass water meters so he would not have water bills at his property.

Last month, The Mercury reported that Fry was led from borough hall by police and confirmed the incident was likely related to a police investigation of the alleged acceptance of the check.

The codes office was also the subject of a 60-page study by the borough’s consulting firm of Remington Vernick and Beach, the results of which were released last month, contained more than 35 recommendations for changes in the department.

They included such suggestions as streamlining and better-organizing permit application forms and procedures; creating a handbook for the department where all procedures would be located in one place; remedial training for some staff, as well as training for needed certifications not currently held by any of the staff.

Flanders told council Monday that the administration is already undertaking several of the recommendations in the report.

He also noted that some of the recommendations will be addressed by the new computer software that codes will shortly begin using.

The first modules of that software will be installed next month, Flanders said.

One recommendation which would cost more money each year is a suggestion for more personnel, particularly for another property maintenance inspector.

According to the report, Pottstown budgets $18,652 per 1,000 residents for code activities, which is significantly less than neighboring municipalities, such as Norristown, Phoenixville, Plymouth Township and Lansdale.

By way of comparison, Norristown spends $33,729 per $1,000 for codes; Phoenixville spends $26,440 per 1,000; Plymouth Township spends $45,568 per 1,000 residents; and Lansdale spends $32,915 per 1,000, according to the report.

The report notes that many of these municipalities employ an outside firm, such as Remington, Vernick and Beach, which has done consulting work in Lansdale, Norristown and Plymouth Township, although Plymouth replaced the firm in February after fielding complaints about delays.

Flanders told council Monday that staff from the firm is currently “supplementing our staff until we fill the staffing vacancies we have.”